Julie Kauflin, the wife of Sovereign Grace Music director and pastor Bob Kauflin, died suddenly Monday, Nov. 9, after collapsing as the couple walked to their car following their weekly dinner date. The couple had celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August.
In a Wednesday Facebook post, Kauflin recalled how Julie's knees buckled as they left the restaurant. He lowered her to the ground, and someone called an ambulance after she became unresponsive. At the hospital, he learned that medical staff had been unable to revive her. Less than 90 minutes had passed since she collapsed.
"I went on a date night with Julie and came home a widower," he wrote.
Julie grew up in Northern Virginia, where she became a state champion pony rider. According to her obituary, she came to faith in Jesus during her senior year of high school, the same year she met Bob. They married in 1976 and raised six children. Their family grew to include grandchildren.
Her obituary recalled how readily she opened her home to others, welcoming guests with food in the kitchen and a place at the table. In an Aug. 28 Facebook post marking their anniversary, Julie wrote, "More in love with this wonderful man than ever! 50 amazing years!"
Kauflin, who has directed Sovereign Grace Music since 1997 and serves as a pastor at Sovereign Grace Church of Louisville, began his tribute with Psalm 139:16, which speaks of God knowing the days of a person's life. He described the grief of losing his wife and best friend and the comfort he takes in believing she is now with Christ.
He closed with Revelation 21:3-4, the passage in which God promises to dwell with his people, wipe away their tears and bring death to an end. "I am so looking forward to that day," Kauflin wrote.
Julie Kauflin's funeral is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 16, at 10 a.m. local time at Sovereign Grace Church of Louisville in Kentucky. A reception will follow.
